Riverside County supervisors on Tuesday adopted a measure intended to crack down on the distribution of illegal synthetic drugs, which Supervisor Chuck Washington described as a “threat and danger to the community.”

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that mandates that individuals selling, supplying or otherwise possessing synthetics face fines and potential misdemeanor charges. It takes effect 30 days after the final approval, which was Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Washington introduced the measure earlier this month in the hope of choking off the supply of hardcore synthetic drugs, which he said were a worsening habit among “high school and college-age individuals, as well as among the homeless, parolees and probationers.”

During an Oct. 4 hearing, board Chairman John Benoit said the popularity of such drugs had become a “huge, horrible problem” and expressed hope that cities throughout the Inland Empire would follow the county’s lead in going after them.

The ordinance applies only to unincorporated communities.

REGULATION ON A MICRO LEVEL

Washington first broached the idea of an ordinance regulating illegal synthetic drugs in April. After months of research and vetting by the Riverside County Office of County Counsel, District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department, the measure was drafted.

Washington acknowledged that the state synthetic drug laws and the federal Controlled Substances Act contain provisions that target the manufacturing and distribution of many synthetics, but not on a micro level. That’s where the ordinance might prove effective, the supervisor said.

Liquor stores, smoke shops and other outlets that place synthetic “intoxicating chemical substances” on their shelves could be fined and face other penalties in county-led enforcement actions, according to the ordinance. Similarly, private individuals peddling illicit synthetics also can be penalized under the ordinance.

According to the ordinance, synthetics are derived from incense, cleaning products, plant foods, skin treatments and spice.

“Many synthetic drugs are sold as white powders, packaged in vials that resemble cocaine or dyed green to appear similar to marijuana,” the ordinance says. “Brand names are often similar to street slang for illicit drugs. These names are always changing but include Eight Ballz, Puff, Spice, Green Buddha, Scooby Snax, Mr. and Mrs. Marley (and) Cloud 9 Incense.’”

Sheriff’s investigators or code enforcement officers will have to look at the name of the product, how it’s packaged, its chemical content and similar factors to determine whether it’s a prohibited synthetic, according to the ordinance. Labeling certain items with the disclaimer “not safe for human consumption” may not be sufficient to avoid an enforcement action.

Local laws regulating the distribution, sale and possession of synthetic drugs have been enacted in the city of Los Angeles, as well as in Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego and San Luis Obispo counties, according to County Counsel Greg Priamos.

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